It is not easy to understand the subtleties arising from PCs and Internet, besides all benefits already known. The computer age and its portability brought “urgency” and “needs” without which many people feel it is impossible to live. It’s a bit like trying to imagine life without electricity even before the advent of radio and TV. It’s like feeling empty and without purpose, even still, because this generation, accustomed to so much comfort, is not prepared to “only” light a lamp or candle and find something else to do, that does not depend on electricity or at least a battery powered source.
I recently read an interesting article on The New York Times, which inspired me to write. It talked about ideas and books by Sherry Turkle, a professor of social science studies and her thesis that “the online world is no longer a place of freedom and reinvention.” The digital age has brought great benefits of which I am a fan and I agree that when used in a balanced way, these resources are fantastic! However, the fine line between good use and dependence is not always perceived. Many people are already enslaved to the appeals of profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and Google +.
It is fact that social networks and virtual worlds are very useful for marketing, socialization and access to such instant “information”, conveyed in a few characters on microblogging. But, a social trend that has grown can be summarized in a term which defines what we are living in this digital age: FOMO (Fear of missing out). In a competitive and so immediate world, people need to know everything faster, buy something or attend to an event before the others, to avoid the fear of exclusion and the anxiety of making wrong choices.
There is certain nostalgia for well-written texts and the fast communication is summarized in words, which are lost in the jumble of unintelligible abbreviations of semicolon, commas and the “Internet” language. Languages are poorer. We must say all in just few characters and the dependence of an immediate response drags more slaves of fear of losing something. Read a book, even on your tablet (after all, you are at the forefront). Ahhh, such laziness if the text is longer than one page. Emotions are represented now by spaces, dots, brackets, commas and all kinds of symbols. The joy is so trivialized, isn’t t it?
Fomo is the urge of our time. Someone says he will attend to a show of the x, y, and z band. Another says: Today the club a, b, c has an amazing party. The Twitts are pumping on your screen and sending an avalanche of information about art exhibitions, meetings, events and everything that you enjoy. It is wonderful to receive so much information, but you’re there, facing so much stimuli and want to do everything. But, you know that it is impossible to attend to all events at the same time. You feel anxious: Did I choose the best party or should I have gone with another guy to dance?
This anxiety prevents you from living the “here and now”, when you could just have a delightful meeting with friends or someone special, and laugh, dance, enjoy everything there, at that moment; but, you share the attention with hundreds of screens full of information that arise. The technology releases also drive you anxious, even if you bought your smart phone or tablet just 3 months ago. It is impossible to follow the speed of our times.
Being informed has become an overwhelming need and it is wide open for all to see. But, the amount is not accompanied by information quality. You can find millions of topics on the Internet on the same theme and lots of what is published has no scientific backing or truth. The Internet is a paradise and a maze of mistakes at the same time. What we do in the virtual world is doomed to over-exposure and, as it is said: – if it fell into the net… it will never go out.
You can create an online identity with profile on social networks or virtual worlds like Second Life. You can be whatever you decide to be, a real one or because you dream of being your Alter ego. Having a profile visited and known by thousands is like a treasure for many. It is your online identity!
Have we become slaves of the screens and connectivity? People feel chained to the keys of their computers, tablets, smart phones and all possible technologies. We created such expectation, that we expect more of the social networks and “technological toys” than people. Relationships and feelings are trivialized, as so many “love” strangers they never met or will meet in life and some talk too much to be accepted in such social networks. What is the usefulness and need to be dependent on their “followers”? We have never seen so much unnecessary exposure and futility. The contact with our idols is narrower, but it created also the loss of the “aura of myth”, because they behave like the normal people they are, and sometimes have awful arguments and problems in virtual chats with fans. People became disposable objects with a simple “delete”, “mute” or “block” and the true relations with affective interaction, which does not depend on a list of followers and instant “friends”, is relegated to just a few taps on your screen.
We live in a time that people need to be connected. Knowing how to use this advantage is a wonderful art and can be extremely positive. The question is how to interact and not become dependent and compulsive?
Virtual worlds have also caused dependencies, as people leave their real lives and frustrations, dedicating lots of energy to a dreamy and perfect “shape” or life (which could be a great stimulus, as an incentive to change what you don’t like in your real being and life). But, many people come in a vicious cycle of dependency on what happens there. They also need to know and feel anxious if they can’t login. This social phobia is very harmful for those who want a balanced life because when you enjoy less a real life to depend and put too much energy into avatars, tweets, posts on social networks, etc, it can be an extremely limited way of life.
It is normal now days to meet people in a lift, and they don’t even say hello, as they are checking whether they have messages to read in more than one cell phone / tablet / etc. Others are in a date at a nice restaurant, but they don’t turn off their electronic “gadgets” to really appreciate the company.
It is true that the Internet, virtual worlds and social networks have many qualities that we love, but we can not deny its alienating power. The most interesting is that so many people complain of excessive messages or do not want to speak to anyone and put themselves “invisible”. Why don’t you put away or even turn off your “toys” while you are busy? It is a matter of focus and priority.
It is perfect to have new tools to interact and socialize. The matter is not in the digital world and its wonderful ways to make our lives better. I think that people should learn how to use better those resources to ensure they will live fully, if sometimes they turn off their “toys” to have a face to face chat.
Ananda Valeeva
